The Nigerian Air Force consumed nearly 10 million litres of aviation fuel while conducting more than 2,900 sorties in support of national security operations between November 2025 and September 2026.
The operations involved over 6,100 flying hours, including precision air strikes, armed reconnaissance, surveillance and close air support for ground troops, according to the Service.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday ahead of the first anniversary of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, on October 30.
Ejodame said the missions were guided by intelligence, defined operational objectives and assessments of their outcomes, with the aim of weakening hostile groups and improving the effectiveness of ground forces.
He said the Service’s operational gains formed part of Aneke’s transformation agenda, which prioritised operational effectiveness, personnel welfare, technological advancement and institutional accountability.
NAF acquires three new helicopters to boost security operations
On personnel welfare, the NAF said it had pursued improvements in allowances, medical support, accommodation and other infrastructure under the principle of “Welfare for Enhanced Warfare”.
Ejodame disclosed that 57 senior officers were promoted to the ranks of Air Vice Marshal and Air Commodore, while 1,534 senior non-commissioned officers and 1,936 non-commissioned officers also advanced to higher ranks.
He added that more than 550 personnel participated in international training and professional engagements, while over 6,000 received training locally to strengthen their technical skills, specialised competencies and leadership capacity.
On fleet modernisation, the Air Force received five additional helicopters in September, comprising three AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters and two H125 helicopters.
The Service is also pursuing the acquisition of 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters and other aircraft and unmanned aerial systems to improve its combat, airlift, training, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
Ejodame said six L-39ZA aircraft were undergoing reactivation and upgrades in Slovakia and Nigeria, while periodic depot maintenance of a C-130 aircraft was ongoing in Portugal.
On infrastructure, he said the NAF had approved 284 projects, with 145 completed and 139 ongoing. The projects cover accommodation, medical and academic facilities, operational infrastructure, roads, electricity and water supply.
The Service has also established an Operational and Safety Audit Committee and is strengthening its Safety Management System to improve aviation safety and accountability.
Ejodame said the NAF was developing measures to prevent and respond to civilian harm, including standardised training and improved assessment and investigation capabilities.
He added that plans were underway to establish an Open-Source Intelligence Centre to improve situational awareness and operational planning.
On indigenous capacity, the Air Force highlighted local production initiatives involving Aircraft Release Device 863 impulse release cartridges, a 250-kilogramme bomb-loading trolley and the development and ground testing of locally produced 57-millimetre rockets.
The Service said community healthcare, educational and other special projects had also continued as part of efforts to strengthen civil-military relations and public confidence.
Ejodame said the NAF would continue investing in personnel, aircraft, training, technology and infrastructure to improve readiness and operational effectiveness in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
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